Q&A:If The Unrighteous Are Going To Be Spared And Take Part In The Second Resurrection Why Are There Verses In Scripture That Emphasize Unrighteousness Will Be Punished Also?

Question: If The Unrighteous Are Going To Be Spared And Take Part In The Second Resurrection Why Are There Verses In Scripture That Emphasize Unrighteousness Will Be Punished Also?

Donald Bohanon: The term unrighteousness when referenced in scripture is just another term for sin.And as it pertains to destruction in association with that sin.. its normally in the context of very serious and or very offensive and abominable sin.

In other words on occasion the term unrighteousness is used to describe wickedness. It’s also important to note that although the Bible makes a distinction between the unrighteous and the wicked in Isaiah 55:7..not all the unrighteous will be spared.

That will be determined by how they conducted themselves in this life,in relation to how they lived and what they practiced,supported and promoted.And the mercy they showed to others.Mankind as a whole will be reconciled back to God.But that does not apply to the wicked,ungodly and or hater of God/abominably evil.

Which is actually a different level and class of sin and or rebellion.In short, some times unrighteousness when mentioned in scripture means sin/unrighteousness.And sometimes unrighteousness when mentioned in association with destruction, means wickedness and or ungodliness.If that makes sense.

I’m sure you will probably find the original term sin/iniquity translated to unrighteousness in English in certain instances, from the original Greek and Hebrew text and other texts.But determining what kind of sin it is, very offensive,abominable, or basic sin, can normally be determined by the punishment associated with the sin/unrighteousness. Simply put ungodliness/wickedness will be judged harshly and punished harshly.And results in spiritual death when judged.

The Bible says them that had the law shall be judged by it and them that had not the law shall perish or be destroyed without it.Because the conscience and thoughts will bear witness against them.

And will be used to excuse or accuse the man or woman who didn’t know the truth or have God’s word or his law.Romans 2:11-16 .To simplify it, your thoughts and conscience will be used to determine if you knew your actions were wrong or not.As opposed to direct or written revelation alone being used to determine it.

That’s also supported and consistent with Matthew 5:27-28 where Christ states that a man who is married and looks on another woman with her in his heart has committed adultery with her already in his heart.So as you see his thoughts are bearing witness against him and accusing him.In this case no actions are necessary to establish guilt.The thoughts bear witness and accuse.As is also emphasized in Romans 2:11-16.

Also notice 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 we see here those who didn’t know God will be destroyed with the same everlasting destruction or eternal destruction (reference Revelation 21:7-8) along with those who obeyed not (emphasis on “obey not“) the gospel.

So we see the argument by some of the true churches of God that many men will be pardoned because they had no knowledge of Christ or God or their word is not supported by Matthew 5:27-28 Romans 2:11-16, and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.

There are numerous additional verses in scripture which validate and support Romans 2:11-16 Matthew 5:27-28 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 -as well. Mankind as a whole will be reconciled back to God but the wicked will be destroyed.And when you understand it,they really are just a small minority in the bigger scheme of things.

The term “the unrighteous” on the other hand is often mentioned as it relates to the term “sinner”.The term “sinner” and the term “the unrighteous” are often used interchangeably and often used to describe one another.Although there are instances where the term “sinner ” is used to describe the wicked as well.But normally the terms wicked,ungodly and hater of God,are used in the same context to describe a very evil, greedy,heartless,diabolical,perverse,rebellious and defiant individual.

The hater of God,the ungodly and the wicked,would be considered a different, higher level and class of evil individual.And all those terms mean the same thing.This individual hates God evidenced by his behavior.They live in open abominable defiance of God and his word.They have established their own rules and guidelines as to what’s considered right or wrong or what’s considered acceptable or unacceptable.Completely contrary to how the Bible defines these things.

They practice and or promote behaviors God despises.But at the same time think they are righteous.They despise the commandments and essentially trample all over them.They are the epitome of self righteous individuals…self righteous hypocrites.According to scripture this individual is appointed for destruction.Deuteronomy 7:10,Job 21:29-30,Psalm 1:5-6,Psalms 21:8-9,Psalms 92:6-7,Proverbs 11:21 ,Malachi 4:1-3,Matthew 13:49-50,2 Peter 2:4-9,Romans 1:30,Romans 1:32.To suggest all men will be saved is totally unbiblical and is based on taking certain Bible verses out of context.And is a gross misrepresentation of God and his word.

Deuteronomy 7:10 King James Version (KJV)10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

Job 21:29-30

King James Version (KJV)29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

Psalm 1:5-6 King James Version (KJV)5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 21:8-9 King James Version (KJV)8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

Proverbs 11:21 King James Version (KJV)21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Malachi 4:1-3 King James Version (KJV)4 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall beashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 13:49-50 King James Version (KJV)49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

2 Peter 2:4-9 King James Version (KJV)4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjustunto the day of judgment to be punished:

Romans 1:30 King James Version (KJV)30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Romans 1:32 King James Version (KJV)32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

I think it’s also important to note that anytime there’s disagreement about certain topics in the Bible between different groups…in regards to whether all will be saved, or some will be destroyed.If the Bible appears to be saying based on some verses, all will be saved or reconciled back to God.

While some are emphasizing based on the overwhelming, preponderance of scripture,that the wicked will be destroyed.The only logical, biblically supported conclusion to come to,is there has to be some gray area involved.And that gray area is the unrighteous man. He isn’t righteous but he isn’t wicked either.He’s somewhere in between.

And when you study scripture that becomes clear.He has a heart, a conscience, a respect for God and humanity.He gives of his time and resources and helps people on a consistent basis.He just doesn’t live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God as the holy and righteous are required to do…Mathew 4:4,Luke 4:4.

But he does live by a basic form of Bible based morality with emphasis on obedience to and respect for the commandments. The Bible refer’s to him(based on his actions and behavior) as a good man in Proverbs 12:2.But a good man is not necessarily a righteous man.But a righteous man is a good man and some.This is the individual who will live under Christs rulership primarily.

The Bible says in Psalms 1:5-6 that the sinner will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.But notice.. neither is the spiritual death penalty applied to this person as it is with the wicked/ungodly. We see that it’s emphasizing in these verses the wicked/ungodly/hater of God will not stand in the judgment.

Which means the wicked will be destroyed.It also says the sinner/the unrighteous man or woman will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.

In other words, it’s simply emphasizing the unrighteous/the sinner will not be destroyed, neither will they be born into the spiritual family of God at that time.Why? And where does that leave the unrighteous/the sinner? Well they will be resurrected,shown mercy, and allowed to live under the rulership of Christ.And that second resurrection is emphasized in Ezekiel 37:1-14.

This resurrection begins with Israel but will eventually include all peoples who ever lived.The wicked will participate in the third and final resurrection emphasized in Revelation 20:11-15.This is the resurrection to destruction.The Bible emphasizes in verse eleven that no place is found for these individuals.And the ensuing destruction emphasized in verse fifteen further validates this.As well as numerous other verses too many to include in this short article.

Ezekiel 37:1-14The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, [2] And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. [3] And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. [4] Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. [5] Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: [6] And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. [8] And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. [9] Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. [11] Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. [12] Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, [14] And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

As an example…either the group emphasizing all men will be saved.Or the group emphasizing the wicked will be destroyed.Are misinterpreting verses in scripture and are not taking into account the logical possibility that there may be some gray area involved.

Most things pertaining to life are never simply black and white.There is normally some gray area involved.And when you study scripture you begin to see that applies to the Bible in some instances as well.What’s most important is that you always follow what God’s word is clearly saying and never men.

You have to always follow God’s word regardless of how many people are following an established belief.Lest you fall into condemnation.And it results in your destruction.All sin has produced the physical death penalty.But not all sins produce spiritual death when judged. Some sins result in spiritual death when judged and some do not 1 John 5:16-17.

1 John 5:16-17 King James Version (KJV)16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.